Dell to sell Windows XP after June 30th

Steve Ballmer recently hinted that if there’s enough public outcry they may delay the end-of-life cycle for Windows XP.  Dell is the first PC retailer that confirms they will be offering Windows XP as an option for their machines.

“Dell will take advantage of a licensing option in Vista Business and Vista Ultimate that lets PC makers provide XP under the Vista license, which Microsoft calls a “downgrade” license. (Enterprises with site licenses have these same rights with any version of Vista.) In essence, the user is buying a Vista license that it can apply to XP, and Microsoft can still claim a Vista sale.”